Hi

Hi fixwin,
Thanks for the helpful suggestions [those who were in any doubt about our technical abilities will quickly understand we {perhaps shamefacedly} know little about the vehicle we drive. We are sure, though, that we like 'G's].

The 'G' referred to in fillan's post looks excellent. Unfortunately, the price matches the excellence.

So, to answer your questions [as best as we can]:
1. LWB required.
2. Manual
3. So long as the front is relatively comfy, not bothered too much about carpets etc for the rear.
4. Probably diesel might be cheaper [so I'm told]. Failing that, petrol.
5. Not bothered too much about in car entertainment [so long as I can hear BBC R4, I'm OK {saddo?!}]
6. 5 seats should leave enough space for food and clothing etc - especially if the rear seats can fold down.
7. Yes, it needs to look reasonable - but it must be understood we'll have to pay for any mechanical/garage work needed as we neither have the time nor expertise to do the work ourselves.
8. It's unlikely we'll do any off-roading - although we have been known to go where vehicles shouldn't to ensure we can get to our Soup Run on time [Sshhh].
9. Cost? Well, we could probably stretch to £2K + ours in p/x. I know it's not much in 'G' terms, but then we haven't got much dosh and we will never [repeat, never] go into debt - we know what it's like to be always playing 'catch-up' and don't want to go there.

In conclusion, I'd really appreciate any help before we venture into the marketplace.

As to whether or not we'd be better off with a specific model, we simply don't know and are largely in the hands of GWOA members for guidance. [We'll try to not blame anyone if they get a suggestion wrong - it will undoubtedly be better than anything we could come up with!]

Cheers,
John

Hi,
Thanks for the feedback and advice.
I guess we'll have to do as you suggest; or wait for some large cheques to arrive; or hope for a fairy Godmother/father.
I'll keep you [and others] informed of how things progress.
Thanks, once again.
Cheers,
John

Hi Mercfan,
Thanks for the suggestions. As with others, we'll put them into the melting pot; find out which bubbles most, and make a decision.
We will let you know what we decide, though.

Cheers,
John

Hi bigbadg,
You could be right regarding the budget - however, we have had successes in the past:
Within a few weeks of getting our 230 it was diagnosed as needing a new exhaust [that's the complete one, not the pokey out bit at the back of the vehicle]. We were quoted approx £960 + vat + fitting from the local ripoff merchants. Naturally, we declined their offer. [remember, this was before we became GWOA members and therefore didn't have access to information and helpful people].
So, rather than mess about, I contacted MB and they agreed with me that the storage of parts was very expensive. So I decided to offer them some modest help: To help reduce - albeit fractionally - their storage costs I would take delivery of an exhaust system.
As we regularly negotiate on the basis of 100% reduction {it saves time if you've no dosh} the matter was concluded fairly swiftly. They then arranged for the local dealer to fit it free, too [I think they treated it as a learning exercise for their apprentices].

So, yes, you may be right that a £3K budget is tight in 'G' terms. But there will be one out there for us - and hopefully someone who appreciates that money really isn't too important in the grand scheme of things - only if you haven't enough to live on; and what you do with it when you've got more than you need.
OK Sermon over!
If you agree with me, why not see if you can help?
[Tim Carnell has already been in touch with an idea, although it might be outside our budget. But the suggestion and that he and others have given consideration to our plight was, indeed heartening - and perhaps a reminder as to why this association will flourish in the future]
Cheers,
John

Hi bigbadg,
Thanks for the encouraging remarks. The sky has, indeed, been cloudy of late.
I'll look forward to some blue skies [and not too many tree-huggers, please]. Oh, and a bit of sun might not go amiss, either, if you're in a position to change these things.
Cheers,
John

Hi hus55,
Thanks for the tips. Buying a vehicle when one doesn't know the first thing about them can, indeed, leave one vulnerable.
However, we seem to be getting such good responses in our quest that we are encouraged more than dissuaded.
We always find it simpler to just tell it how it is - knowing that what goes around comes around - and we'll do what we can to find Bill Moss if we get stuck [I suspect this learning curve may be extremely lengthy for us - and try even the patience of Job, but there you go].
We'll let you know how we get on.
Cheers,
John

Hi tclynes,
Thanks for the generous offer.
At the moment we have a GWOA member who is actively looking for the elusive 'G' with our name on it. Out of respect for him [and, like yours, his generous offer of help] I feel it would be better for him to oversee these matters. We believe that, like you, he will know what he's looking at [where we wouldn't necessarily know which pitfalls to avoid]. So, with that in mind, I have asked him to keep tabs on this message board and the many offers and suggestions so, on our behalf, he can be fully aware of the market [although I believe he is rather well clued up already].
We'll let you know the eventual outcome, and thanks, once again.
Cheers,
John

Hi fixwin,
Thanks for the thoughtful sentiments [perhaps another reason why this association is as good as it is].
Cheers,
John

Hi fixwin38,
Once again, thanks for the suggestion. As mentioned in my earlier post I will discuss this with our mentor who, I believe, already has a vehicle in mind.

It's very often the case, though, that you wait for ages and then three come along all at once!

As previously promised, I'll keep everyone informed as to which vehicle we get.

Cheers,
John